Towed hydrophone streamer with integrated module coupler

Abstract

An integrated module coupler for a towed hydrophone streamer and a method of transmitting towing forces and electrical signals therethrough. The coupler comprises: (1) a coupler body having a plurality of axial bores and a plurality of tension member apertures therethrough, (2) a plurality of electrically-conductive pins disposed through the bores, (3) an insulating material, disposed between the plurality of pins and walls of the plurality of bores, for insulating the pins from the coupler body to thereby allow electrical signals to pass via the plurality of pins through the body, (4) means for retaining tension members within each of the tension member apertures, the retaining means allowing the tension members to terminate within the tension member apertures in an eye, the retaining means passing through each of the eyes to thereby engage the tension member and (5) a coupler shell, coaxial with and capturing the coupler body to engage a mating coupler shell of another coupler, towing forces transmittable between the coupler shell and the tension members via the coupler body and the retaining means.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated module coupler for a towed hydrophone streamer, comprising: a coupler body having a plurality of axial bores and a plurality of tension member apertures therethrough;   a plurality of electrically-conductive pins disposed through said bores;   an insulating material, disposed between said plurality of pins and walls of said plurality of bores, for insulating said pins from said coupler body to thereby allow electrical signals to pass via said plurality of pins through said body;   means for retaining tension members within each of said tension member apertures, said retaining means allowing said tension members to terminate within said tension member apertures in an eye, said retaining means passing through each of said eyes to thereby engage said tension member; and   a coupler shell, coaxial with and capturing said coupler body to allow said coupler shell to engage a mating coupler shell of another coupler, towing forces transmittable between said coupler shell and said tension members via said coupler body and said retaining means.   
     
     
       2. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler shell comprises a mating surface rotatably to engage said coupler shell with a corresponding mating surface of said mating coupler shell. 
     
     
       3. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a pin passing through each of said tension member apertures and said corresponding eyes of said tension members. 
     
     
       4. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said tension members comprise a relatively inextensible rope. 
     
     
       5. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler body is provided with alignment pin apertures axially defined therein, said alignment pin apertures adapted to receive corresponding alignment pins from a mating coupler body associated with said mating coupler shell. 
     
     
       6. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler body is provided with an integral sensor. 
     
     
       7. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of pins are adapted to couple with a corresponding plurality of receptacles in a mating coupler body, said coupler body including means for aligning said plurality of pins with said corresponding plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
       8. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler body and said coupler shell are composed of titanium. 
     
     
       9. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler body comprises a first portion having said plurality of axial bores therethrough and a second portion having said plurality of tension member apertures therethrough. 
     
     
       10. The coupler as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupler is located at an end of a module, said module comprising a spaced-apart plurality of hydrophones located within a fluid-resistant jacket. 
     
     
       11. A method of transmitting towing forces and electrical signals through an integrated module coupler for a towed hydrophone streamer, comprising the steps of: a coupler body having a plurality of axial bores and a plurality of tension member apertures therethrough;   transmitting said electrical signals through a plurality of electrically-conductive pins disposed through a plurality of axial bores located within a coupler body, an insulating material, disposed between said plurality of pins and walls of said plurality of bores, insulating said pins from said coupler body;   transferring said towing forces between a means for retaining tension members within each of a plurality of tension member apertures located within said coupler body, said retaining means allowing said tension members to terminate within said tension member apertures in an eye, said retaining means passing through each of said eyes to thereby engage said tension member; and   further transferring said towing forces through a coupler shell, coaxial with and capturing said coupler body to allow said coupler shell to engage a mating coupler shell of another coupler, said towing forces thereby transmittable between said coupler shell and said tension members via said coupler body and said retaining means.   
     
     
       12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of rotatably engaging a mating surface of said coupler shell with a corresponding mating surface of said mating coupler shell. 
     
     
       13. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of passing said towing forces through a pin through each of said tension member apertures and said corresponding eyes of said tension members. 
     
     
       14. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said tension members comprise a relatively inextensible rope. 
     
     
       15. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of providing said coupler body with alignment pin apertures axially defined therein, said alignment pin apertures adapted to receive corresponding alignment pins from a mating coupler body associated with said mating coupler shell. 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of providing said coupler body with an integral sensor. 
     
     
       17. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of coupling said plurality of pins with a corresponding plurality of receptacles in a mating coupler body, said coupler body including means for aligning said plurality of pins with said corresponding plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
       18. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said coupler body and said coupler shell are composed of titanium. 
     
     
       19. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a two-part coupler body comprising a first portion having said plurality of axial bores therethrough and a second portion having said plurality of tension member apertures therethrough. 
     
     
       20. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of locating said coupler at an end of a module, said module comprising a spaced-apart plurality of hydrophones located within a fluid-resistant jacket.